Culture
17 May 11

Among friends

As Philip Lynott fans commemorate the 25th Anniversary of his premature passing with a series of emotionally-charged events, their attention turns next to Arklow for the fourth Friends of Philo tribute gig.

It’s a busy time for Friends of Philo organisers Colm and Mary Weadick. They were guest exhibitors at the Philip Lynott Exhibition as part of last year’s Hot Press Music Show at the RDS, and made a significant contribution to the Hot Press Still in Love With You Exhibition in Dublin (running until June 12). In addition, Philo fans also saw a Lizzy compilation storm back into the album charts, the latest incarnation of the band had them rocking in the aisles at the Olympia, and the book My Boy (about Phil and the siblings he never met) topped the Irish non-fiction paperback charts for three weeks.

So the next key event in the Philo/Lizzy calendar is the Friends of Philo tribute, titled Whisky In the Jar’O, at the Arklow Bay Hotel with the main event on Friday May 13. Having raised over €12,000 for various charities in its three previous years, the 2011 event will see proceeds go to the WSPCA animal sanctuary in Rathdrum and the Irish Seal Sanctuary in Courtown, as well as to The Roisin Dubh Trust campaign for the future Philip Lynott Museum. That animal organisations should benefit from Philo’s music is apt, as he was a serious dog lover. As Weadick explains with a logic Philo would have appreciated, “I’ve always wanted the Friends of Philo gigs to support charities that are local, but also ones that don’t necessarily get as much attention as the bigger ones.”
But why the enduring appeal of the man and his music? Weadick says, “The music of Philo and Thin Lizzy endures because it’s so good. As well as that, new fans are getting into it because the new line-up has been playing the hits and that has meant it gets more radio play. It’s probably fair to say that the music of Thin Lizzy is more popular now that it ever was.”
The headlining spot for the Arklow tribute will be taken by Can’t Believe It’s Not Lizzy. They have performed at many Vibes For Philo and will treat fans to a blistering two-hour set. Another key attraction will be the Friends of Philo Trad Band from Arklow. This astute move reflects a side of Philo perhaps overshadowed by his rocker image; his love for Irish folk music. Weadick agrees: “Philip loved being Irish and he loved his Irish heritage. Songs like ‘Beat Of The Drum’ and ‘Philomena’ reflect that. In addition having the band on the bill also brings something different to the Arklow tribute rather than focusing on the rock element all the time.”
The band will be joined this year on uilleann pipes by Leo Rickard who played with Clann Éadair and Philo on ‘Tribute To Sandy Denny’ as aired on the Late Late Show and released as a single in 1984. As Rickard explains to Hot Press, “Philo was a great fan of the band and a really decent man. We actually finished an album with him shortly before he died, but sadly it’s never been released. I’m not quite sure why it never happened. So when I was invited to join the band for the Arklow gig I was happy to do so. It’s a great way of remembering a tremendous talent and maybe a way of saying ‘thank you’ for his work with Clann Éadair in the past.”
That the music of Philo has transcended the generations is celebrated by the inclusion on the bill of a young Wicklow folksinger Doey Walsh and the band Teen Lizzy from Bray, Co. Wicklow. Arklow’s veteran classic rock band Feel The Pinch, who formed 23 years ago and performed for the Philip Lynott Statue fund-raising gig, are also on the bill. Special guests on the night will include Larry Cullen and the Arklow Pipe Band, and the guest of honour will be Philomena Lynott.
But the Friends of Philo tribute isn’t just about the music. This year, on Saturday May 14, Faught’s Record Fair, Arts and Crafts will take place from noon to 6pm. Then, Funky Junction (featuring members of the renowned Glyder) will play at Sally O’Briens in Arklow at 10pm. On Sunday May 15 a Monster Raffle, with €1,500 in prizes, takes place in the Gin Mill, Arklow at 9pm with music by Friends of Philo Trad band and guests.
Tickets for the Friends of Philo tribute event are available from Arklow Bay Hotel, Earls newsagents in Wicklow Town, and Powersound in Arklow. Tickets for the Friday gig are €12 or €15 on door. The show starts at 9pm sharp and rocks until 2am.
It’s gonna be some weekend down Arklow way!